Bipolar plate is the key component of PEMFC and represents a significant part of the overall cost and the total weight in a fuel cell stack. The thin metal bipolar plate is classified into three types, iron-based alloys, nickel-based alloys and light metal alloys such as aluminum, titanium, etc. The surface modification methods are also reviewed systematically. The conductive compounds and electrochemical methods are discussed and considered to be the future modification way for thin metal bipolar plates of PEMFC.